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BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Deanmb.dnd (talk | contribs) at 16:04, 12 April 2012 (Instead of using a photo of a non official color gray of Gregorio del Pilar, we are releasing this photo on fair use basis. One may verify with the Department of National Defense Office for Public Affairs Telefax +63+2+9117113 New Media). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the Filipino revolutionary general, see Gregorio del Pilar. For the municipality in the Philippines, see Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur. For the decommissioned Philippine Navy ship, see BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-8).
File:Official Photo of BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15).jpg
BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)
History
United States
NameUSCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
BuilderAvondale Shipyards
LaunchedDecember 18, 1965
CommissionedMarch 18, 1967
DecommissionedMarch 28, 2011
Fatetransferred to Philippine Navy in 2011.
BadgeFile:Hamlogo.gif
History
Philippines
NameBRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)
NamesakeGregorio del Pilar (1875-1899), a Filipino revolutionary general
OperatorPhilippine Navy
Acquired13 May 2011
Commissioned14 December 2011
Maiden voyage18 July 2011
Nickname(s)BRP Goyo, BRP Goryo, BRP GDP
Statusin active service
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement3,250 tons, probably less due to removal of several weapons & sensors system
Length378 ft (115 m)
Beam43 ft (13 m)
Draft8.75 ft (2.67 m)
Installed power5,800 hp (4,300 kW)
PropulsionCODOG system featuring 2 x Pratt & Whittney FT4A-6 gas turbines producing 36,000 hp (27,000 kW) or 2 x Fairbanks-Morse 38TD8-1/8-12 12-cylinder diesel engines generating 7,000 hp (5,200 kW); retractable bow propulsor with 350 hp (260 kW)[1]
Speed28 knots (52 km/h) max
Range14,000 nautical miles (25,900 km)
Endurance45 Days
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 x RHIB
Sensors and
processing systems
Armamentlist error: mixed text and list (help)
[2][1]
Aircraft carriedBO-105C light helicopter
Aviation facilitiesretractable hangar and flight deck

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) is a patrol frigate of the Philippine Navy. Originally, it was built as a US Coast Guard Hamilton class cutter, known as USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) and was transferred to the Philippine Navy on May 13, 2011.[3] She is the second Philippine Navy ship to have borne the same name, the first being another ex-US Coast Guard Cutter. She is expected to be the first of several ex-US Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutters that will serve the Philippine Navy.[4]

Transfer and Acquisition

Inspections

Proposal to decommission the ship was made for fiscal year 2011 budget, and the Philippines sent a formal letter of interest for its purchase. As an Excess Defense Article (EDA), transfer took place “as is”. The US Coast Guard invited the Philippines to send technical teams to the cutter's homeport of San Diego during consecutive weeks in November 2010 to conduct a thorough inspection, known as a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of the vessel. The Philippine Navy sent its acting head, and conducted full reviews, both dockside and underway, of their prospective cutter’s structural condition, propulsion systems, engineering plan, material history and any corrosion issues.[5]

Training

From January 2011, the US Coast Guard provided 10 weeks of combined dockside and underway training on Hamilton's sistership, the USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) for ship's prospective commanding officer, executive officer and crew.

Phase I of the training, from late February until the end of April 2011, involved training 21 members of its prospective crew. The Philippine Navy crew trained on the Boutwell during its maneuvers off the coasts of Mexico and Panama. Phase II of additional dockside and underway training began on 14 May 2011. For 10 weeks, 11 Coast Guard advisors and subject matter experts helped train the remaining 75 crew members. This included the ship's layout, navigation systems, and operating, casualty and maintenance procedures that would allow the safe operation of the ship back to the Philippines.[5]

Removal of Equipment

The Hamilton was formally decommissioned on late March 2011, and the US Coast Guard removed the ship’s AN/SPS-40 air surface search radar to use as spares for operational Hamilton class cutter. Also removed was the ship’s Phalanx CIWS and 2 Mk.38 M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain guns, which will be used on their new National Security Cutters (NSCs) and Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters, respectively. In return, the US Coast Guard began procuring and installing the safe-to-sail navigation equipment, radar systems and additional electronics that the Philippines' requested as part of its transfer support case.[5] It was also announced that the Philippine Navy will install a 25mm chain gun, six mounted 50-caliber guns and two 20mm cannons.[2]

Transfer to the Philippine Navy

The ex-Hamilton was formally transferred to the Philippine government on 13 May 2011 during ceremonies at Coast Guard Island, and was renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15). The ship was then turned over to its Filipino crew, with Capt. Alberto A. Cruz as its first commanding officer.[5]

After June 30, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar moved from Coast Guard Island to a commercial pier in Alameda to finish the remaining work, with around 13 separate contracting actions. In early July, the ship did a four-day run at sea along the coast of California for a test of the crew’s capabilities and the ship’s sea-worthiness. After that, the American trainers disembarked and left the Filipino naval officers and men on their own. She officially got underway on July 18th from Coast Guard Island Alameda on the voyage home to the Philippines and was expected to arrive in mid-August 2011.[6] In late July 2011, she passed by Hawaii for a brief port visit and during mid Aug. 2011 in Guam prior to arriving in the Philippines on August 21, 2011.[7]

The ship arrived in Philippine territory last August 17 after almost a month of voyage from California, and arrived in Manila on 21 August 2011. After the arrival ceremony on 23 August 2011, the ship underwent dry-docking and repainting to standard haze grey. Some minor repairs and fitting of additional facilities, equipment and armaments was done.[8][9] The ship was formally commissioned at 10:00 a.m. of 14 December 2011 during ceremonies in Manila South Harbor Pier 13. President Benigno Aquino III's elder sister, Maria Elena “Ballsy” Cruz served as the principal sponsor of the ship.[10]

President Benigno Aquino III hopes that this, his first major military acquisition, will be a symbol of his administration's intention to strengthen and modernize the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces, and to defend its territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea.[11] [9]

Costs

The ship's transfer cost was pegged at Php450 million (around US$13.18 million as of 2011), while operation costs for 2 years was estimated at Php120 million. Funding came from Philippines' Department of Energy, considering that the vessel is projected to be deployed to secure oil platform and exploration activities in the Western and Southern Philippines.[12]

Naming

Originally the Philippine Navy's Organizational and Manpower Management Committee, which deliberated on the possible names for the vessel, came up with three candidate names — Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Lapu-Lapu, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, and BRP Jose Torres Bugallon. Ultimately the panel confirmed the name Gregorio del Pilar in honor of the young general of the Philippine Revolution who was the hero of the Battle of Tirad Pass during the Philippine-American War where he lost his life.[12]

Port Calls

US Navy men salute the Philippine colors during port call at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii 27 July 2011

On 27 July 2011, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled port visit. She took on supplies and fuel, and held a reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii. The crew also visited the USS Arizona Memorial. It also marks the first time a Philippine naval vessel pulled into Pearl Harbor.[13][7]

After her stop at Hawaii, she arrived for a port visit to Guam on 12 August 2011, and departed on 14 August 2011 on the way to the Philippines.[14][15]

Exercises

On 30 July 2011, the Gregorio del Pilar and USS Reuben James (FFG-57) conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Hawaii.[7]

On 22 August 2011, the United States Embassy in Manila posted on their Facebook account photos indicating that BRP Gregorio del Pilar had an in-stride training with USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) on their transit to Guam, which may have started around 4 August 2011.[16]

Technical details

Design

The ship was designed with a high level of habitability and provides fairly comfortable accommodations, including air conditioning.[17]

Propulsion

She is the first Philippine military vessel to employ the now-common aircraft gas-turbine jet engines with the use of controllable pitch propellers. With her two 18,000 horsepower (13,000 kW) Pratt & Whitney gas turbines, she can travel at speeds up to 28 knots (52 km/h).[18] She also has two 3,500 horsepower (2,600 kW) Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, capable of driving the ship economically at 17 knots (31 km/h) for up to 14,400 nautical miles (26,700 km) without refueling.[18] A retractable/rotatable bow propulsion unit provides maneuverability in tight situations.

Armaments

Prior to turn-over to the Philippine Navy, the ship was armed with a Mk.75 Oto Melara 76 mm Compact main gun, two Mk.38 M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun at midships, and a Phalanx CIWS system aft.[19] The CIWS and chain guns were removed prior to its turn-over, with the Mk.75 gun remaining.

Photos taken during its commissioning ceremonies on 14 December 2011 show additional armaments installed on the ship.[citation needed] This include one Mk.38 M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun aft, two Mk.16 20 mm guns at midships, and six 50-caliber 12.7 mm machine guns (two forward below the main gun, two at flight deck shoulder extensions, and two near the Mk.38 gun aft).[2]

Flight Support

The Gregorio del Pilar has a flight deck and hangar capable of handling helicopters. Currently, a BO-105 light surveillance helicopter is assigned to the ship.

  • Filipino-American community in Hawaii greeting the Gregorio del Pilar as it arrives in Hawaii on 27 July 2011.
    Filipino-American community in Hawaii greeting the Gregorio del Pilar as it arrives in Hawaii on 27 July 2011.
  • Hawaii, 27 July 2011
    Hawaii, 27 July 2011
  • Hawaii, 27 July 2011
    Hawaii, 27 July 2011
  • Well wishers bid farewell to PF-15 @ Hawaii, 29 July 2011
    Well wishers bid farewell to PF-15 @ Hawaii, 29 July 2011
  • Transits out of Hawaii, 29 July 2011
    Transits out of Hawaii, 29 July 2011
  • Transits out of Hawaii, 29 July 2011
    Transits out of Hawaii, 29 July 2011
  • PASSEX with USS Reuben James (FFG-57) 30 July 2011
    PASSEX with USS Reuben James (FFG-57) 30 July 2011

References

Citations
  1. ^ a b c Saunders, Stephen: Jane's Fighting Ships 107th Edition 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd, 2004.
  2. ^ a b c "Navy flagship sheds US identity; videoke onboard". Inquirer.net. 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  3. ^ Dhick, Mowby (14/05/2011). "13/05/2011: Philippine Navy Acquires USCGC Hamilton". Philippine Embassy Washington DC. Retrieved 2011-05-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "AFP eyeing 2 more second-hand US ships". ABS-CBN News. 2011-04-26. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  5. ^ a b c d "US Coast Guard Transfers High Endurance Cutters Hamilton and Chase to the Philippines and Nigeria" (PDF). US Coast Guard. 2011-05. Retrieved 2011-06-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Navy's fastest ship sails to new homeport". Newsbreak. 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  7. ^ a b c "Newest Philippine Navy Ship Gets Aloha Welcome". MENAFN.com. MENAFN.com. 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  8. ^ "Navy's newest and largest ship arrives in the Philippines". The Manila Times. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  9. ^ a b "President Aquino: Ship symbol of our defense". Inquirer.net. 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  10. ^ "Noy inaugurates 2 newly commissioned ships". Philstar.com. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  11. ^ "Benigno S. Aquino III, Second State of the Nation Address, July 25, 2011 (English translation)". Official Gazette / Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  12. ^ a b "Introducing: PHL Navy's cutter BRP 'Gregorio del Pilar'". US News Las Vegas. 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  13. ^ "Introducing: Philippine warship to stop in Hawaii before patrolling Spratly Islands". Star Advertiser Honolulu. 2011-08. Retrieved 2011-08-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Port Visits". SeaWaves Magazine website. 2011-08. Retrieved 2011-08-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "RP Navy ship visits Guam". Marianas Variety Guam Edition. 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
  16. ^ "BRP Gregorio del Pilar & USS Fitzgerald Conduct Instride Training". Facebook - US Embassy, Manila Philippines. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  17. ^ "History of USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)". USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) official web site. United States Coast Guard. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  18. ^ a b "WHEC 378' Hamilton class". GlobalSecurity.org. 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  19. ^ "WHEC 378' Hamilton class". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
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